Re: Tire size comparison.

Posted by su8overdrive On 2013/12/30 16:20:56

Have replied to this topic before. I'm running Bridgestone R230 radials on '47 Super Clipper. Like the identical spec Yokohama LT radials Diamond Back charges extra to vulcanize a slightly too narrow "wide" whitewall, they are in the correct bias size of 7.00 x 15 for our cars, and many other 1941-on domestic automobiles. Google tread design and specs.

The first ride with them i was amazed not just at the
handling improvement, but the stopping ability. It's all
about wee performance tweaks of these fine road cars for me,
so i carry a couple extra pounds cold psi than what you'd
probably like or need: 46 psi. You can play around with
this.

The only drawback with such radials is that you'll be
tempted to take corners faster than you should, to "outdrive" your car.

Do NOT buy the metric sized tires you mention above.
They're for S(tupid) U(seless) V(ehicles) and will look
dorky. In fact, the 235s can rub the fender on hard
opposite lock. Again, they don't look right. The 205s
will be too small. Go with Bridgestone or Yokohama 7.00 x 15 LTs. Until the early aughts, Michelin also offered these with the same specs, but figured the market didn't justify continued production.

Bridgestone is a Japanese brand now. Yokohama Canadian.
Ironies abound. The raised black letters are impossible to read unless some car nerd crouches by your car to scrutinize the writing, and who cares what such losers think? If you don't pay Diamond Back to vulcanize a too narrow whitewall over this, you can always touch the characters with a die grinder.

Additionally, i like blackwalls because NO new cars in 1946-47 at any price range were delivered with whitewalls,
tho' a very few during the last month or so of the '47 model year may have. So with blackwall 7.00 x 15 you've got historical correctness on your side in the win-win bargain.

1941-47 Clippers are sleek, sophisticated automobiles,
which is why it's so sad seeing whitewalls, ostentatious hood ornaments that are a hangover from the dated box office poison prewar traditional bodies and already pretentious on those junior-based 1939-on cars (other than the leftover '38 Twelves).

Skip the gargoyle hood ornaments, curb feelers, go with
Bridgestone or Yokohama 7.00 x 15 LT radials. If you feel
compelled to do the suburban concours d' nonelegance conga
line, then order a set with too narrow whitewalls from
Diamond Back at a hefty premium for historical incorrectness.

Most wealthy folk in the day thought whitewalls, etc.
gauche, tacky. Leave that crapola to the '41 Chevy and Cadillac-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack monkey see, monkey do crowd.
With blackwalls and less junk, you really "see" the car.

In the day, Packard retrofit windshield
washers, R-11 overdrives into earlier models. As motor oil
and lubricants improved, you'd use these. If you took
your '41-'47 Clipper into a Packard dealer for a new engine
after 1948 or in the early '50s, they'd install a 288 or 327.

Don't use tubes. Just make sure your wheels are smooth, the rivets tight.

These are a u t o m o b i l e s. Good road cars. And you're not butchering anything. Michelin offered radial tires beginning in 1946. Packards were worldclass automobiles.

I know '40s Packard and Cadillac owners running radials, several 1936-37 Cord drivers, a coupla S-Type Bentley Continentals, the latter with the same GM-type IFS and curb weight as our Clippers and 15-inch wheels, reported nothing but success. Yokohama and Bridgestone (and until a decade ago, Michelin) also offer 7.50 x 16 LT radials and i've talked with various delighted 1930s Cadillac and Packard owners so equipped.

Let the whining and yeah, buts begin.

A merry sixth day of Christmas, for those who also enjoy tradition, and an East Grand 2014 to all visiting this splendid site, tho' we remain puzzled why a simple
question on a recent post "356 finetuning" regarding timing
returned but one (1) response, and a question as to 1941-47 Clipper rear vent window removal not even that, while endless fairy castle and unicorn what ifs, radial rehash, extra carb titillation abound.